This is not the first time that Ankama has been caught for its not always very pleasant internal climate. And the conviction of the Lille judicial court is unlikely to restore their image. On June 30, 2023, Ankama was convicted of initiating legal action with the intention of harming any person intending to criticize or open a debate on the company’s managerial practices. In short, a gag procedure to hide the misdeeds of the heads of the company.
In 2017 and 2018, Ankama was already featured in the press by employees pointing to management as a source of concern, with salaries well below the market. All wrapped up in sustained crunch phases in all branches of the company. Conditions much less glorious than what is presented publicly.
The STJV, involved in the lives of many unionists in the French video game industry, took up the matter. We learn here that a former employee, Mr. A., had produced a testimony certificate for the benefit of a former colleague dismissed in 2022, Mr. B. But 20 days before the hearing before the Industrial Tribunal, Ankama attacked Mr. A. for denigration and false testimony. However, everything did not go as planned.
“This proceeding appears to have been guided only as a means of pressure exerted against the applicant ex-employee, Mr. B. but also against any other of his colleagues who might wish to testify within the framework of a industrial tribunal dispute against this company. »
Lille Judicial Court, judgment of June 30, 2023
A problematic direction
The most knowledgeable people already know that Anthony “ToT” Roux, CEO of Ankama, is not always the most benevolent being there is. Especially when it comes to projects that are dear to him. However, an investigation of
Pixelsthe video games section of The world, reveals that he is a possessive, suspicious and even paranoid personality, and whose management inspires fear in his employees. But the CEO continues to assert that it is a cabal against him. All carefully organized by the STJV and other unions who might be after him.
However, he is not the only one implicated here. Ankama’s human resources department is also singled out, most often defending management. It seems that life in this company is not the most pleasant when you are at the bottom of the ladder. The judgment rendered thus points to major problems which call into question those at the highest levels.
“This action therefore amounts to a deliberate desire to undermine the exercise of defense rights and it is therefore established that it was carried out with the intention of harming any person intending to criticize or open a debate on the managerial practices of this company. »
Lille Judicial Court, judgment of June 30, 2023
However, this judgment is not final. Ankama appealed to assert their rights, and hope for a judgment in their favor. We will therefore have to be patient before we get to the bottom of this story. This could be an opportunity to have new testimonies about the relationship between management and its employees.